Trollano displays Don mentality

There’s no denying San Miguel Beer is armed to the teeth based on the talent it has in its deep roster.

The defending champions’ bench mob is as formidable as its starters.

An advantage the Beermen will look to exploit for a repeat in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup finals against TNT.

Leading the second unit gunners is Don Trollano, whose performance in the best-of-seven series starting tomorrow at the Ynares Center-Antipolo is vital for San Miguel’s success.

“My mindset is, I’m not thinking that I'm in the second unit. I'm part of the first five of the second group. That's always the mindset,” he said on Monday during the finals series presser held at the Novotel Manila.

Trollano played a huge role in San Miguel’s playoffs run, especially in the semifinals, where he brought in the much-needed firepower and energy when head coach Leo Austria’s starters went cold.

It was the Adamson University product that carried the Beermen in Game 3 of the Final Four against Barangay Ginebra when he dropped 33 points off the bench as San Miguel took the lead after falling short in the series opener.

Now back in the title round for the second straight conference, Trollano is locked and loaded as lead reinforcement.

“My mindset is that I’m not a reliever of the first five. That I can be in the first group of any other team, that’s always the mindset,” he boldly stated.

“So, once my number is called, I just do my job.”

But it’s not just Trollano that Austria will bank on from his second and third stringers.

Jeron Teng, Mo Tautuaa, last edition’s Finals Most Valuable Player Jericho Cruz and Juami Tiongson are all ready to deliver for the cause.

“For me, the bench plays a very important factor in this series. If you noticed, since the start of the conference, our bench players have been performing well. That's my goal because I trust every player on my team,” Austria said.

“That's why I mentioned in the last two games of the semifinals, different players from my team were named Best Player of the Game because anyone can step up.”

San Miguel is coming into the series with an average of almost 40 bench points per game.